PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Imagine a star-spangled outfield of Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper. Imagine a red-white-and-blue pitching staff of Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner and Corey Kluber at the start and Zach Britton at the end.

Keep imagining. As the fourth World Baseball Classic begins on Monday in Seoul, South Korea, none of those superstars will be taking part. Nor will Noah Syndergaard, Corey Seager, Justin Verlander or pretty much any headliner from baseball’s marqu